Antony Blinken advocates armed intervention, which Canada does not want to lead

Posted On: October 28, 2022

Published on : 10/28/2022 – 10:46 am

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who was in Canada until this evening, spoke at length with his Canadian counterpart Mélanie Joly about the crisis Haiti is currently experiencing. Even before his arrival in Ottawa, the United States had hinted that Canadian authorities could lead a potential international response force. A proposal that Canada has apparently rejected.

With our correspondent in Quebec, Pascale Guericolas

For now, Canada is in no rush to intervene militarily in Haiti, despite the insistence of its powerful neighbor. In a press conference alongside his American counterpart, Canadian Foreign Minister Antony Blinken reiterated that the solution to this crisis must come from the Haitian people.

” No decision will be made without the participation of Haitians. I’ve always said it will be by and for Haitians because it’s for their best in the end. Because right now it’s the people who are suffering in Haiti. So our goal is to help them ‘ explains Melanie Joly.

The Canadian delegation is currently consulting stakeholders in this area to “ Explore different ways to help the Haitian people ‘ stated the government, which plans to ‘ solutions proposed by Haitians to restore access to essential goods and services “.

The request remained a dead letter

The US Secretary of State, a handsome player, did not insist on his request, which remained dead letter. He explained that talks are underway with other countries to form an international coalition. ” We agree that between food and fuel shortages, the resurgence of cholera and Gangs blockade ports and terrorize civiliansthe situation is really unsustainable ‘ said Antony Blinken. Canada, for its part, insists on its role of supporting the Haitian police.

► also read : In Haiti, the first deaths from cholera in 3 years raise fears of a return of the epidemic

A Canadian team is also on the ground to assess what resources the Haitian government has available to clear the roadblocks and allow the police to do their job. The Secretary of State is waiting for this update to know what tools are needed to really help the Pearl of the Antilles.

The visit comes at a time when the international community is assessing how to increase its aid to Haiti, which has requested assistance, including through a peacekeeping force, as the humanitarian and security situation deteriorates. The Haitian government’s appeal was transmitted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

But this idea of an armed force is not unanimous among the Haitian people or in the Security Council, and no country has yet agreed to lead it. The United States has indicated that it is prepared to support such a force, but not lead it like France has done.